The collection contains a typescript draft and printer's proof of John Gardner's autobiographical Spin the Bottle (London: Frederick Muller, 1964), as well as typescript drafts and other material relating to his Boysie Oakes stories Understrike and Traitor's Exit, and introductory material for a proposed series featuring detective Derek Torry.

Background

John Edmund Gardner was born in Northumberland, England on November 20, 1926. He expressed a desire to be a writer at the
age of eight, but his life would follow a circuitous path before he finally settled into that profession. A teenager during
World War II, Gardner joined the Home Guard as a drummer boy. While waiting to come of age, he auditioned for the American
Red Cross Entertainments Department and visited numerous military hospitals as a magician. Finally turning 18 at the end of
1944, he was able to join the Royal Navy. After a few months he was transferred to a Royal Marines commando unit and served
in Asia and the Middle East.

Extent

.4 linear feet
(1 document box)

Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.